GoPro is set to launch a new spherical camera later this year capable of shooting 360-degree footage at 5.2K resolution.
The new Fusion camera is not just limited to capturing 360-degree video for “fully immersive virtual reality content” according to GoPro, with a new feature called ‘OverCapture’ also allowing conventional HD-quality video and photos to be “punched out” of the spherical footage.
“Fusion is just that, the ability to capture every angle simultaneously…as though you had six GoPro cameras fused into one,” said GoPro founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman.
“Whether filming for VR or traditional fixed-perspective content, Fusion represents the state-of-the-art in versatile spherical capture,” Woodman added.
Initially, Fusion will be made available to brands, agencies and content professionals as part of a pilot program, before a limited commercial release by the end of 2017.
Apart from the 5.2K resolution, which puts it ahead of the 4K resolution of 360-degree cameras from Samsung and Nikon, GoPro has not announced any other technical details about the Fusion.
GoPro’s previous entry into the VR camera market, the Omni, combines six of the company’s Hero 4 Black action cameras into a rig for shooting 360-degree footage, with a substantial pricetag of $7499 (or $2299 without cameras).
While GoPro hasn’t announced pricing information Pro Fusion, it should be substantially lower than their existing offering.
